Notes on Hope Devotional

Easter 2024

Romans 5:8-11 (NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Easter will be celebrated around the world this Sunday. The resurrection of Jesus is the pinnacle and culmination of Holy Week. Today’s Scripture gives us the reason we celebrate Jesus walking out of the tomb: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Easter came at a cost.

Celebrating Easter without looking at what Jesus went through diminishes the power of the resurrection. We have no capacity to completely absorb what Jesus went through, from praying in the Garden, sweating blood, being rejected by his disciples, beaten, abused, and crucified.

When I saw “The Passion of the Christ” in 2004, I closed my eyes and couldn’t watch the scene of the Crucifixion. It was too much to bear. But it was Jesus’ death that allows us to celebrate Easter.

These verses in Romans 5 remind us of the glories of the resurrection; “…how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

As you celebrate Easter this Sunday, may you consider and ponder the cross, the demonstration of God’s love for us. The hopelessness of Good Friday gave way to the hope of the tomb, where Jesus walked out, defeating death, rescuing and reconciling us, and calling us his beloved children. He is Risen.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Our human minds cannot fully comprehend the cross and what You suffered. Thank You seems inadequate to articulate a response. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for the love that You demonstrated for us. Help us grasp the depth of Your love so we can fully engage in the celebration of Your resurrection. In Jesus Resurrected Name, Amen.